Canuck

Enjoyed our prior '2 clubs' rides. Sounds like a great executive. Congrats to all. Nov. 15th? That'll be a ride to ZETS .... (Toronto airport dining).

Interesting question for Club rep at the snowmobile show. In the right conditions, staging out of Sudbury and heading out for a day trip into this area is wonderful. Then do the usual Sudbury loops on the other days. (I know, Sledjunk - they don't groom to the Moonlight Inn or Chateau Guay hotels ...but if they did! LOL). That area's grooming pattern has been odd last couple of years. Two hotel map sponsors and Royal Dist down the street (also a sponsor) - and bone / soul crushing trails in the vicinity. We won't even take sleds off the trailer upon arrival until we hear from hotel residents/sledders. Much easier to just trailer to STP yard ..return at night). Anyhow, glad that 400 extension is making the drive north safer.

Thanks for the info., Bill. Great news. Southern snowmobile season's are getting 'shorter' or at least tougher with freeze/thaw cycles- no need for those that have paid to plan around this weekend. And it WAS an issue when we were in North Bay on a freeloader weekend. Now to get the message out re: price of an Ontario permit. I can't believe how many people still think it's 'four or five hundred' dollars.

Only used 1 of the 3 items in your subject line (SPOT). SPOT tracked, as set (intermittently). Problem became a very costly monthly plan. They gave away the product, or at least subsidized it with high percentage off 'retail', but jacked up the subscription price. Also have an Delorme InReach, purchased before they were a Garmin company. Use it summer and winter (yoot, in Quebec last week, canoeing...worked like a charm). InReach tracks properly and as SJ mentioned, flexible payment options. These items are often on sale at the snowmobile show. If the measurement of a product is 'would you buy again' - yes to the InReach.

Thanks for this info and link to 2017 information. The latter was pretty specific (from 'Constance Lake') to Temiskaming. Wonder what happened in that Constance Lake (Calstock) area? Hopefully club(s) receive the funding and hit all their targets (trails and interactive itineraries).

Way to go. Happy trails.

Thanks for the update, group. Appreciate it.

I was thinking about snowmobiling in Quebec next year. Then recalled that riders complained about Quebec trail conditions last year (folks I met in northern Ontario; some online chatter). Add the above nonsense and it'll be - SLED ONTARIO in 2020.

$640 annual permit 'sold on the trail' is an eye opener.

Too funny. I'm joining the motley crew on this trip. New Liskeard tomorrow night.

That's the other Darryl It's a great looking sled. Good luck with the sale.

Agreed. Doo Bvs2. No electric shield. Absolutely love it. Helmets are a personal preference. You wear it for hours. To each his own.

Glad you brought this thread to life. Somehow missed STG's Yamaha bashing but otherwise wonderful lodging report. The Deep River sub-trails are incredible. There's a paper map - limited to those trails. Make sure you procure one before venturing out up into the hills. Trails are more like roads. Wonderful. Bear's Den was awesome during prior RAP tours.

Will the Key River gas station remain open after twinning is completed? So many seem to close.

A friend mentioned that he was renting out a second floor room (Toronto) via AirBnB . It got me thinking about sledding and rooms off the beaten path ("Slomo was here" ) Here's one for Iroquois Falls. Too difficult for Revrnd's list to keep up with Airbnb, but interesting in a pinch. This house, built in the early 1900's, was home to Frank Anson, one of the original founders of the town and the Abitibi paper mill. It has been newly renovated, and converted to a Bed & Breakfast to preserve the historical relevance of the site. We are located on a spacious lot at the end of Argyle Avenue, overlooking the beautiful Abitibi river. A full breakfast is included in the price. Guest access The house has a small crossfit gym, 2 big tv rooms with sattelite tv, 2 dining rooms, a big backyard. The 5 bedrooms share 2 freshly renovated full bathrooms https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/18626580?location=Cochrane%2C ON&s=oSLRZROT Funny how some Air B n B reviews for northern Ontario (i.e. Timmins) say "Couldn't get a room due to ..convention..hockey tournament...so tried Airbnb" Worth keeping in mind.

X3. As PLC and SJ mention, if you're on that side of the highway, might as well continue per PLC's route. Stop at the Mica Mine ( bring flashlight). It will be on your right, heading west.

^ Might be a message ^ Kidding! Thx for the info. re Pinestone.

Fast boats on the lake seem to leave a sonic boom behind them. I wonder if it's as loud in the boat/ on the sled as around them. Occasional sonic boom in our kitchen. I'll ask her if she hears herself when I gather the courage. "Bill wants to know".

Really enjoyed the old set-up including heated outdoor pool. Definitely worth investigating changes if any/ if sold.

Good point re; 2 night minimums. I think that the 2 places you're referring to are Silversands Family Resort (bring your own towels) and Edgewater Park Lodge. Both have (had) gas onsite when we passed through and both have restaurants (Whiskey Jack's at the first, a diner at the second). They're there for us. Appreciate it. I suspect that we all try to give them business and cringe inside at "the things that make you go huh?" The 2 night rule in your circumstances seemed harsh.

I'm with the Spectacle Lake, Bear's Den, Valois crowd above. Tho' really interested in some of the new lodgings posted above. Thx One recommendation, don't take your 'room reservation' for granted. Call the day before to confirm the reservation. Our reservations has been 'misplaced' a couple of times. In both cases, it wasn't in a city - we couldn't just go to the Holiday Inn down the street. There's always room at the inn ahead, it's just 100 km away

Hear that, Slomo? Thx for the information.

Way to go! Thanks to all with the foresight map out this strategy.

Not sure if I posted this, but the current Ontario sled magazine had an article about 'off trail' riding catching on. 'Western' concept that Ontario sledders have adopted. I picture the Abitibi canyon climbing, boondocking. They mentioned that Wawa, in particular, was adopting this to generate trail interest. Fast forward to this trail closure. Perfect 'boondocking'. Riders will come. Hopefully, associated risks are known and no one gets hurt. Every time I go off trail (even with Doonut, years ago, in a small group) - I get this "who's land am I on" feeling. Not for everyone. Anyhow, some risk management ahead. Hope they find a way to keep the trail open.

Both A105Q (the closed trail in question) and A103 (Frazerdale dam loop) are red on the interactive. Prudent trip planning would suggest that you wouldn't venture either way since they are closed. You can, in fact, light up the A105Q trip and it shows that it 'would' be a 138.1 km trip from Cochrane to La Reine. However, the 'red' trail will likely warn riders. It's 138.1 km of straight trail and loneliness. Hope that all riders, at both ends, are aware.